Krystyna S. Aune, professor of speech at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has been named interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, effective August 1, 2009.

She will provide academic leadership over matters such as assessment, program review, academic program actions, and course proposals.

"The position of associate vice chancellor for academic affairs is a key one, as we move forward on our agenda to improve student success," said UH Mānoa Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Reed Dasenbrock. "Krystyna brings great depth in experience as a faculty member and administrator. I look forward to working with her.

"Also, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Barbara (Bee) Kooker for her two years of service as the interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. We wish her well as she returns to her faculty position in the Department of Nursing."

Aune is a tenured professor in the Department of Speech, where she has served as graduate chair for four years and department chair for three years. She has been serving as interim associate dean in the College of Arts and Humanities since 2007, overseeing a variety of academic-related matters for the college.

Aune took the lead in organizing the department chairs across the UH Mānoa campus that led to the establishment of the Council of Chairs in 2005.